Match book



April 21, 1964 M. M. STERNAU MATCH BOOK Filed Dec. 19, 1960 INVENTOR MARTIN M. STERNAU United States Patent 3,129,809 MATCH BOOK Martin M. Sternau, 67-50-13 188th St., Flushing 65, N.Y., assignor of thirty-three and one-third percent to Leo Stanger, Summit, NJ.

Filed Dec. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 76,816 9 Claims. (Cl. 20629) This invention relates to match books particularly safety match books.

Presently available match books are utilized by removing one of the matches and rubbing it against a striking surface. However all of them lack reliable safety means, to prevent the entire book of matches from being inadvertently ignited by a spark from a match being rubbed against the striking surface.

It is obvious, that serious injury will be inflicted upon the user of existing book matches, should such an accident occur. Burned hands are an every day occurrence.

Various means have been devised, to minimize the danger of inadvertent ignition of the entire match book. For example: the striking surface has been placed on the cover of the match book in such a way, that it is located away from the match heads. Or, instructions have beenprinted on the cover of the match book advising the user to close same before striking a match. All such means may alleviate, but can not eliminate the danger inherent in the present day match book, leaving its proper functioning entirely to chance.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved match book particularly one which substantially elimihates the danger of accidentally igniting the entire match book, when one individual match is struck. Another object of the invention is a match book requiring less material than a conventional match book. Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby individual matches are held and retained within the match book in an improved manner. Another object of the invention is a match book, wherein the heads of the matches are shielded. Still another object of the invention is to provide a match book, which will give a greater degree of safety to the .user than heretofore possible. According to a feature of my invention the heads and adjacent portions of the matches are shielded or covered within the match book, so that nospark or flame can reach the heads of any of the matches while an individual match is being lit and while the cover of the match book is open.

According to another feature shielding the match heads Within the book of matches and its enclosure is accomplished by means of pressure sensitive adhessive material.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of several match books, which are just examples of a few of the many embodiments of which the invention is capable, when read in light of the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a book of matches according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a book of matches in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical sectional view of FIG. 1.

I FIG. 4 shows a vertical side view of another embodiment of a match book according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention.

In the match book of FIG. 1, the outer book or envelope 1 comprises a sheet of pliable cardboard or paper of conventional shape and thickness, and possesses a striking surface 2 for lighting the matches suitably placed thereon. The envelope may also be made of transparent or opaque plastic or any other suitable material.

Within the envelope the matches 3 are arranged in rows as shown in FIG. 2. A piece of tape 4, pressure sensitive adhesive on both sides, is taped across the inner center portion of the envelope 1, so that it will stick to the envelope and will become an integral part thereof.

The head ends 5 of the matches and substantial portions of the match sticks (see FIG. 3) are then pressed against the remaining pressure sensitive side of tape 4, so that all matches at their head ends are held securely in position in rows at the inner wall of the match book, whereby the heads of the matches will be adjacent to each other.

Now. another strip of opaque or transparent tape 6, pressure-sensitive only on one side, is placed across the two rows of match heads with the pressure sensitive face of tape 6 touching the matches, whereby said tape covers the match heads of both rows of matches and preferably substantial portions of the match sticks.

Tape 6 will have the eifect, that the rows of matches are securely held within the match book envelope, in particular, when tape 6 is extended to attach itself to tape 4 along its side edges. At the same time tape 6 will cover and shield all matches at their head ends, preventing sparks from reaching the match heads.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 the rows of matches at their head ends are spaced apart sufficiently, so that the pressure sensitive tapes 4 and 6 will attach themselves to each other across the width of the match book between the matchheads.

In order to secure the tapes still further to the envelope a staple] may be used, but this is not essential.

The envelope 1 is folded over on one end to form a trough 8, and this trough or fold is retained by means of a staple 9 in a conventional manner. Trough 8 serves the purpose of receiving the other end of the match book cover when closing the book ofmatches. Trough 8 may carry the striking surface 2 on its face used for lighting a match.

One row of matches is arranged within the match book in such away, that the ends 3 of the match sticks extend into the trough or fold 8, whereby the match stick ends are held in place, so as not to snap out of the fold or pouch 8, when the cover of the match book is open. (See FIG. 2.)

.Additionally a crease 10 may be provided to run across the width of the match book cover, in order to facilitate opening and closing of the book of matches and to give better access to the upper row of. matches.

. It isobvious, that the pressure sensitive tape 4 can be eliminated and in its place a pressure sensitive compound may be applied directly to the match book cover in the general area of tape 4, and this compound will retain the rows of matches against the match book wall and in combination with tape 6 will securely hold the rows of matches in place, while the match heads are shielded by tape 6. i

It is apparent, that with this invention less material is used to assemble a book of matches than with conventional match books; This is so, because with this new construction the matches do not require a common base, from which they are removed; this amount of material is saved, which at the same time cuts down the overall height of the match book, again saving additional material.

Another illustration of the principle of shielding the match heads within the matchbook when the cover is opened, while retaining the matches by pressure sensitive over one end of the match book enclosure. A staple 9 is employed, to retain this fold and at the same time secure the pressure sensitive tapes at the base of the trough additionally to the match book enclosure.

The striking surface 2 in FIG. 4 is placed on the cover portion of the match book, to still further decrease the possibility of accidental ignition of the whole book of matches.

Obviously pressure sensitive tape 4, in contact with the inner surface of the match book cover may be substituted by a pressure sensitive compound applied directly to the inside of the match book cover as previously described.

Still another version of the principle of shielding the head ends of the matches of a match book after the book is opened is shown in FIG. 5.

In tlL's case the matches are arranged with their head ends enveloped by the fold 8 each row 12 of matches being integrally part of a common base 11. Both bases are attached to the match book cover by means of a staple. A crease facilitates opening the match book cover while fold 3 retains and shields the match heads.

It is therefore seen, that there has been provided a new improved book match arrangement, which has safety features not evident in existing match books. It is further evident that this new improved match book will require less material than conventional match books.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from its spirit and scope.

What is claimed:

1. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof;

(0) said enclosure having adhesive protecting means in contact with said heads for covering said heads when said enclosure is open.

2. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof;

(c) said enclosure having sheet-like adhesive protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open and for maintaining the position of said matches.

3. A book of matches comprising.

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(0) said enclosure having adhesive protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open.

4. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(0) said enclosure having sheet-like adhesive protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open and for maintaining the position of said matches.

5. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(0) said enclosure having protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open;

(d) said protecting means including a flap on said enclosure covering the heads of said matches and means to secure said matches in position under said p;

(e) said means to secure said matches comprising a pressure sensitive cement on the interior of said flap in contact with said heads.

6. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(0) said enclosure having protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open;

(d) said protecting means including a flap on said enclosure covering the heads of said matches and means to secure said matches in position under said p;

(e) said means to secure said matches comprising pressure sensitive tape lining the interior of said flap and contacting said heads with its sticky side.

7. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(c) said enclosure having protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open;

(d) said protecting means including a layer of pressure sensitive tape secured to the interior of the enclosure and covering said heads and securing said heads between the tape and the interior of said enclosure.

8. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(0) said enclosure having protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open;

(d) said protecting means including a first layer of pressure sensitive tape having a sticky surface secured to the interior of said enclosure with the sticky surface exposed, a second layer of pressure sensitive tape having a sticky surface facing the other sticky surface, said heads being located between said sticky surfaces for shielding thereof and for securing the heads in place.

9. A book of matches comprising:

(a) a foldable book-like enclosure adapted to be opened and closed; and

(b) a plurality of parallel adjacent matches adapted to be enveloped by said enclosure when said enclosure is closed and having striking heads at the ends thereof facing in the same direction;

(c) said enclosure having protecting means in contact with said heads for covering and shielding said heads when said enclosure is open;

5 6 (d) said protecting means including a first layer of (e) said layers of tape being secured to the fold of pressure sensitive tape having a sticky surface seth k-like enclosure.

cured to the interior of said enclosure with the sticky surface exposed, a second layer of pressure sensitive References Cited m the file of thls patent tape having a sticky surface facing the other sticky 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS surface, said heads being located between said sticky 2,216,492 Hamblin Oct. 1, 1940 surfaces for shielding thereof and for securing the 2, 48,600 Buchignani May 9, 1944 heads in place; 2,589,604 Cunningham et a1 Mar. 18, 1952 

1. A BOOK OF MATCHES COMPRISING: (A) A FOLDABLE BOOK-LIKE ENCLOSURE ADAPTED TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED; AND (B) A PLURALITY OF ADJACENT MATCHES ADAPTED TO BE ENVELOPED BY SAID ENCLOSURE WHEN SAID ENCLOSURE IS CLOSED AND HAVING STRIKING HEADS AT THE ENDS THEREOF; (C) SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING ADHESIVE PROTECTING MEANS IN CONTACT WITH SAID HEADS FOR COVERING SAID HEADS WHEN SAID ENCLOSURE IS OPEN. 